How to use the Atlas

In general, this atlas of statistics related to the Haines Index provides context. Fire managers, Incident Meteorologists, Fire Behavior Analysts, and Predictive Services Meteorologists often have current information on what the Haines Index is, or will be in the near future. However, they may not know how that information compares to “normal” conditions for their location, region, or time of year. This is particularly true when working outside a geographic region where they have worked for many years.

When using this atlas and the maps, it is extremely important that one continue to remember that the Haines Index only indicates above-ground conditions, and is strictly only appropriate when a fire is not wind driven. High winds can create a large or dangerous wildfire, whether or not the Haines Index is high.

Below are ?? examples of possible applications of the Haines Index. They are only examples, however, and with the many measures and statistics shown in the atlas, there are many, many ways to use this information to assist with planning and management activities.

Example:

In September 2006, an Incident Meteorologist (I-Met) from eastern Washington is assigned to a fire in south central Montana. The I-Met is not familiar with the new area, and wants to know how typical values of the Haines Index and its components compare to those for the Spokane region. By consulting the atlas, the I-Met learns the following:

• The average A component is 16 ˚C in eastern Washington, 18 ˚C in central Montana. There is greater variability in central Montana as well, as shown by the map of Standard Deviation.
• The 95 th percentile values of the A component are 20 ˚C in Spokane and 22 ˚C in central Montana.
• The average B component is slightly higher (13-14 ˚C) in eastern Washington than in central Montana (12-13 ˚C). Variability is higher in eastern Washington, as well.
• The 95 th percentile values of the B component are 30 ˚C in eastern Washington and 25 ˚C in central Montana.
• The average Haines Index is slightly higher in central Montana than eastern Washington, by less than 0.5.
• The average length of runs with Haines Index ≥5 is the same in both areas, 2 days.
• The historical maximum length of a run with Haines Index ≥5 is greater in central Montana (about 6 or 7 days) than around eastern Washington (between 4 and 5 days.)